Brightlingsea Regent Reserves lost their Chell Trophy final last night 2-1 against Lowestoft Town Reserves. A slow start cost Regent and an early goal for Lowestoft gave them an advantage that they held until adding a second late in the game before the Regent fightback.
Lowestoft started well and were ahead within the opening minutes when a good set piece delivery saw Town keep the ball alive before firing home to make it 1-0. Lowestoft continued their fine start and nearly added a second but were this time denied by Regent keeper Greg Waltham. Regent did settle and had large spells where they created chances but two good saves from the home keeper as well as a guilt edged chance that Peter Brough unfortunately fired over saw Regent 1-0 down at half time.
In the second half Regent continued to have good spells with Lowestoft looking most dangerous on the break, Greg Waltham again saving well when the Town player was through on goal. Regent looked most likely to level through a set piece with Peter Brough and Keiron Baker both going close before an 80th minute goal all but sealed the win for Lowestoft. Tenacious play saw Town win the ball with Regent appealing for a free kick, Lowestoft however broke forward and the Town player buried past the advancing Greg Waltham to make it 2-0. Regent came straight back and pulled a goal back just 3 minutes later when Danny Hill fired home after a corner was only cleared to the edge of the box. Lowestoft nearly caught Regent on the break again before the R's created one more great chance to take the game into extra time when a shot from Callum Hunt was well saved by the Lowestoft keeper who was quick to thwart any rebound. Lowestoft saw out the game to win the trophy, FT 2-1.
Congratulations to Lowestoft Town Reserves and commiserations to James Meadows, Sean Congram, Ryan Salter and the team who played well on the night and with two games left in the league can hopefully secure a runners up place after a good season for Regent Reserves.